MICROBIOLOGY AND THE SHELF LIFE OF REFRIGERATED PRODUCTS
shelflife of food products is most familiar to consumers through the open dating used on refrigerated goods The shelf life of these types of products is affected, for the most part, by their microbiological status. These products pose the highest food safety risk and have the shortest shelf life because they are the most susceptible to microbiological deterioration and the possibility of the growth of pathogenic organisms. Bacteria need certain conditions for growth - namely available moisture, the proper pH, the right temperature and nutrients and time.